The Race to the Podium is On
16-17, 18-19 Battle Continues Friday

The competition heats up as five different teams hold down the top spots in six events with two more to go heading into tomorrow's 16-17 and 18-19 competitions.

Solos kicked off the day with Dade Co.'s (Fla.) Celia Gonzalez topping the field in the 18-19 solo prelim scoring an 83.333. Upstate rival Tampa Bay soloist Rachel Simon is a little over a point back at 82.167, while Jaime Pietras of Chester Co. (Penn.) finished third with an 81.833.

In the 16-17 solo prelim, Hannah Shively of Columbus (Ohio) leads the pack at 82.166, while New Canaan's Jayme DeLancy sits only 0.166 back at 82.000. Lyssa Wallace of the Cygnets of San Antonio, who placed fifth last year in 14-15 solo, follows in third at 81.834.

The Midwest teams came alive in the 18-19 trios. Corenn Cookerly, Elizabeth Hatch, and Karen Meyer of Indy Synchro took top honors scoring an 83.667. Ashley LeRoy, Layla Smith, and Alix Bogehold of Rocky Mountain hold a slim 0.001 lead over Buffalo's Alaina Hill, Tracey Freeman and Amanda Stewart, 81.667 to 81.666 respectively.

The day closed with 16-17 team prelims. Cerritos (Calif.) scored an 83.167 and holds a slim lead over Sacramento who posted an 83.083. Southern Nevada, competing in Age Groups for the first time, sits in third at 81.500.

Friday's competition begins with 18-19 duet prelims at 10:30 a.m. followed by 18-19 team prelims at 2:00 p.m. The meet will wrap up on Saturday with 16-17 and 18-19 finals beginning at 11:30 a.m.

18-19 Solo Prelim
1. Celia Gonzalez, Dade Co. (Fla.), 83.333. 2. Rachel Simon, Tampa Bay, 82.167. 3. Jaime Pietras, Chester Co. (Penn.), 81.833. 4. Christine McMaster, Arizona, 80.833. 5. Meredith Cooke, Suncoast, 80.500. 6. Alix Bogehold, Rocky Mountain, 80.166. 7. Tiffany Rock, Dolphinettes of Miami, 80.000. 8. Kristina Averell, C.C.S. Tailspinners (Ohio), 79.666.

16-17 Solo Prelim
1. Hannah Shively, Columbus, 82.166. 2. Jayme DaLancy, New Canaan, 82.000. 3. Lyssa Wallace, Cygnets of San Antonio, 81.834. 4. Emily VanVleck, Redwood Empire (Calif.), 81.667. 5. Catherine Benzie, San Diego, 81,167. 6. Julia Broadfoot, San Diego, 80.833. 7. Corenn Cookerly, Indy Synchro, 80.333.
8. Christine Grisham, Pirouettes of Texas, 79.834.

18-19 Trio Prelim
1. Corenn Cookerly, Elizabeth Hatch, Karen Meyer, Indy Synchro, 83.667. 2. Ashley LeRoy, Layla Smith, Alix Bogehold, Rocky Mountain, 81.667. 3. Alaina Hill, Tracey Freeman, Amanda Stewart, Buffalo, 81.666. 4T. Anne Christensen, Kimberly Hieter, Alexandra Kielty, MAC (Ore.), 81.000. 4T. Elizabeth Corman, Laura Rushfeldt, Megan Stanley, St. Paul, 81.000. 6. Ann Donselman, Aubrey Ford, Christy Henderson, Cincinnati, 80.833. 7. Anne De La Torre, Celia Gonzalez, Sarah Restrepo, Dade Co. (Fla.), 80.334. 8. Rachel Goor, Rochelle Ross, Stephanie Rolin, Westfield (N.J.), 79.500.

16-17 Team Prelim
1. Cerritos (Calif.), 83.167. 2. Sacramento, 83.083. 3. Southern Nevada, 81.500. 4. Brecksville (Ohio), 81.167. 5. Seattle, 81.000. 6. Kansas City Terrafins, 80.834. 7. Austin, 80.500. 8. Scottsdale, 79.583.